Ken Sass was a long time colleague of my father.  He was mentored by my father early in his career, and they grew to be close personal friends.  Ken was kind enough to share these touching, heartfelt thoughts he wrote down about my father following his passing.  Thank you, Ken.  I know your relationship with my father meant just as much to him.

​

Jerry

 

First time I met him

he was interviewing me

for his Vice President position

the interview was in a local diner

he traveled a distance to meet me

at a place that was convenient for my job at the time

how typical

he put others first

 

I must have impressed him

because at the end of our meeting

he told me how impressed he was with me

again, how typical

honest, and didn’t hold back

positive or negative

 

Sometimes

our teachers

come from an unlikely and unexpected place

I don’t think he stood out in a crowd

unpretentious

blue collar

East Side Buffalo Polish

Polkas and pierogies

Buffalo Bills

yet also the most passionate person

about civil rights

and domestic violence

A true social worker, leader, helper by nature

his beliefs and convictions

made deep impressions on me

even while I didn’t realize it was happening

 

Humble man

family first with him

and a friend who had your back

and harder on himself than on others

every single time we were together

I took away something

 

How lucky I am

to have had Jerry in my life

The real friends

the real people

love of life

a ‘true blue’ guy

genuinely happy for me and proud of me

for any accomplishments

how many people like that do we know!

 

With Jerry gone

there is something missing in the world

but what he taught us

by his example, friendship and love

stays with us

forever